Though healthcare is seemingly one of the more stable sectors of our turbulent economy, many practitioners are still struggling to subdue rising costs. For patients who may be unable to pay up front, can you employ effective payment plans that won't sidetrack your financial outlook? What else can we do to maintain our practice while dealing with the burdens of these tough times? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Pector, a family physician practicing in Naperville, Illinois, just west of Chicago, and a member of the editorial board for Medical Economics magazine. Dr. Pector also delves into an assortment of other issues in medicine today: reimbursement increases, chronic illness management and wellness services merged into one office visit, and maintaining an office staff that can effectively balance good business acumen with respectful patient relations.